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Kerala History Part 4 Thalappalli Taluk in Thrissur District

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Chinthamani Journal of Dr Suvarna Nalapat Trust (Dec Jan Issue 2014 ) 1 General information from pages 1-21 ( 1-21 )

2. Temples of Thrissur District : Mooshakavansa and Thalappalli Taluk general History 22-27

3 Paleolithic Cupmarkings from Muthalamada in Palghat district 27-38

4 Thalappalli megaliths 38-47

5.Temples of Thalappalli Taluk (ancient and very ancient) 47-

General information

1 Krithayuga

FishsignofDravidianPandhyaKingdomandofKamadeva,sonofVishnu.SathyavrathamanuofDravidadesatimespan.Dravidiansonseashorewereadeptsinseatravelsandtrades.VishnulivesinOceans,floatsonoceansandisweddedtodaughteroftheoceans.

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TortoiseofKachappa,kasyapathefirstofthesaptharshi,whoisfatherofalllivingbeingsstartslandtraveltodistantplaces.BothseaandlandroutesofDravidiansestablished.BothfishandKachapaaresignsusedbythem.ThisperiodwastheSaraswathicivilization.VedicknowledgebloomedinwestcoastofIndia.Maithravaruni(Agastya,Vasishta,)Bhrighu,Athrihadashramsonwestcoast.WhenGangawasformedandSaraswathidriedupmigrationofpeopleunderKapilatoeasternshores(mouthofGanga)happened.PeoplemigratedtomoreNorthernsitesoftheSindhutributaries.LopamudrasLoshu(Mathematical)wasinthisperiod.

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Varaha(Pig)isaPhani,PhaneesaandisasignofPulkkasaChalukya.Pulaintamilisacave.CavesweremadehomesbySaaleyasandthesewerecalledthepulkkasachaalookya.TheKarunaagaofthe5artisansdevelopedfromthemonebyone.Thefirstwasthepeoplewhousedstoneimplements.ThesearetheChalukyaViswakarmaSilpilineagewhosurvivestilldate.FromtheseteacherstheMudgalabrahmanaofViswakarma,Mayatraditiongrewup.Panchalasweredescendentsofthis.

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Allthistimehumanbeingswereforestdwellersandwerehunters,akirathatribe.TheLionisthekingofforestanimals.LikethatkingoftheforestpeopletookuplionastheirsignandPallavasarehavingthe

signofSimha.

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VamanarepresentstheMundaracewithshortstatureandtheirTumulisperiod.Mooshaka,Mahabali,MahishmathitraditionsofDravidia/westcoastofIndiaisfromthoseearlydays.MahishaisthewaterbuffaloseenonlyinwaterloggedareasandisthevehicleofDharmadevaoftheDakshinapatha.Mahishmathi,fromMaharashtradownwardstoKanyakumariwastheabodeofDharmadeva. ( ) ,, . ()

Parasuramarepresentsthewoodcutterandmakerofdarusilpafromit.HeisafiercewarriorandagreatasceticGurucombined.HeistheancestorofallKeralites.

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Whenthewoodcuttermadebowsandarrowsfromwood,anewclasscalledVillavar(expertsinbows)grewupandamongthemSreeRamaisconsideredasthegreatest,thoughhewasnotthefirsttouseit.KeralaancientpeoplewerecalledVillavasandthesignofCherawastheBow.

. . . .

3 Dwaparayuga

TheploughofBalaramasignifydevelopmentoftheagrariandependenteconomyofIndiaduringIndusvalleyHarappanperod.Krishnarepresentsprotectionofcattleanddevelopmentofmusicandarts.BothofthemlivedduringtheSindhuHarappanperiod.

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4 .Kaliyuga

Kalkiholdsasword.Theonewhodestroysbykillinganythingandeverything.AfterBudha,whenAlexandercameandforeigninfluencesdamagedIndianeconomyandsystemofadministrationtheeraofKalkiwasslowlyusheringin.WhenPerumalallowedManichaandVikramatokillwiththeirswordandtakewhateverpossibletheprocesswasaccentuated.After13thcenturyIndianeverhadbeenfreefrominterventionsofexternalforcesandinfluences.Kaliyugaisprogressing.

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Kshethravasthu of Kerala is old Dravida style .Panchapraakaara style is followed generally. That means there will be 5 Praakaaraaas.

1 () Inner Balivattam is the Srikovil proper

2.() Anthahaaram is the Chuttambalam around it.

3 () Madhyahaaram is the lampholding surrounding wall of chuttambalam .

4 ( , ) Bahyaharam is the Sreebalippura or outer circumambulatory path

5 ( ) Maryada is the outermost wall with the Gopura or tower.

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Shape is either square,rectangular,circular,spherical,octagon, apsidal. Very rarely ellipse also is seen. Adjoining srikovil is a open or closed Mukhamandapa. (with pillars). In some temples a pathway is seen to the sanctum sanctorum and such temples are Saandhaara and those without is Nirandhaara style. In sandhaara , sanctum is

square with special walls. In Nirandhara only imaginary square in middle or behind the square depending on deitys nature the idol is seen.Adhishtanam,Upapeetham , on upapeetham from above downwards padukam and jagathi; On adhishtanam from below upwards padmapadukam,padukam,jagathi,kumudam,kumudappati,kambam,galappadi,kapotham,vaajanam,valaru,utharam,pati. Sopana is with vyali figure and silpa. Pranala is either simple or decorated. Sometimes with bhoothagana supporting it is seen. Jaalapanjara,(windows with openings) ghanadwara,praasaadadwara (functional door)are seen. If doors are on 4 sides it is sarvathobhadra. Kovil can be ekathala (one story) dwithala (two storey) or thrithala (three

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storeyed).The silpa in greeva and murals on walls are for beautification,aesthetics and for telling stories of scriptures. Sreemukham or sukanaasa will show a form of the Lord inside . Sthupika may or may not be there. If it is present, it will have 4 parts.

1 . ( 8 ) Mahapadmam with 8 petals

2. Kumbham

3. () The lotus stem with a slender opening throughout its length

4. ( ) The kudamaala or lotus bud.

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For dwarapalaka ,ashtadikpaala balipeetha ; single peeta for sapthamathruka( brahmi,maheswari,koumari,vaishnavi,varahi,indrani,chamundi ) and Veerabhadra ,Ganapathi; are seen in almost all temples.Sapthamathruka were worshipped in India from Indus valley times. Bhadrakali,sastha and Vettekkara have same nature and for them instead of a namaskaramandapa , a paattupura ( elongated hall for singing and drawing Kalam) is seen. Special places are marked for Thidappalli,well .If Upadeva is installed parallel to Deva , or if it is behind Deva , the direction of Deva and Upadeva will be same. (except Parvathy who is sitting in opposite direction to siva).If upadeva is in front, he/she faces the Deva and is in opposite direction of the Deva. Naga are generally installed facing east but exceptions are seen. Valiyambalam is used for Homa, for kalampatt,chakyarkooth,ottamthullal. In thidapalli nivedya,Mulayidal for ulsavabali are done. Agrasala and oottupura are for annadaana . Kokkarini,kulam,chira,theertham,kinar are the water sources. For reducing the power of ugra idols Jaladrishti ( water in front of the deity as a river/lake etc) is provided. For example at Thriprayar Srirama temple.

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. Below , the tables show the census of temples from the Monographs series (Census of Kerala Temples )

1Table1

AntiquityofTemplesofThrissoor,Palghat,Malappuram,ErnakulamDistricts:

DistrictThrissoorTotal1573

VeryAncientBefore2000yrs63

Ancient2000yrs9thcentury200

1013thcentury290

1416thcentury412

1719century418

20th117andNotreportedantiquity13

ThalappalliTaluk439

22 39 83 130 138 19&8

ThrissoorTaluk401

21 56 64 90 117 48&5

ChowghatTaluk183

7 20 33 69 48 6&nil

KodungalloorTaluk103

3 5 15 32 39 9&35

MukundapuramTaluk387

10 80 95 91 76 35&nil

DistrictPalghat1962

48 93 184 341 868 344&84

OttappalamTaluk616

23 48 86 166 244 41&8

MannarkkatTaluk188

5 15 33 26 61 45&3

PalakkadTaluk385 10 14 37 58 172 61&33ChittoorTaluk476 4 11 17 44 262 126&12AalathoorTaluk297

6 5 11 47 129 71&28

Malappuram

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District1121Thiroorangadi134 6 26 10 30 39 19&4Eranad228 14 48 19 44 65 31&7Nilambor96 1 13 7 7 31 30&7Perinthalamanna215

3 48 24 46 81 11&2

Thiroor278

9 36 32 94 85 18&4

Ponnani170

5 28 13 30 76 14&4

ErnakulamDistrict1285

32 85 93 316 493 266Nil

KunnathuNad228

9 19 17 74 72 37

Aluva203 8 19 12 47 82 35Paravoor177 4 5 6 30 96 36Kocchi134 Nil 2 3 29 56 44Kanayannur320

8 18 18 68 110 98

Muvattupuzha145

1 12 27 48 49 8

Kotamangalam78

2 10 10 20 28 8

2 Classificationoftemples:

Thrissoordistrict1513

Thalappilli439 Thrissoor401 Chowghat183

Kodungalloor103

Mukundapuram387

Mahakshethra18 5 6 3 2 2Valiyakshethra12

5 2 Nil 1 4

Pradhanakshethra241

89 66 27 16 43

Cheriyakshethra223

31 41 25 21 105

Kochukshethra1019

309 286 128 63 233

PalghatDist1962

OttappalamTaluk616

MannarkkatTaluk188

PalghatTaluk385

ChittoorTaluk476

AlathoorTaluk297

Mahakshethra8 3 Nil 4 1 NilValiyakshethra13

6 Nil 2 3 2

Pradhanakshethra242

98 25 53 33 33

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Cheriyakshethream159

48 27 20 32 16

Kochukshethram1540

461 136 290 407 246

Malappuramdist1121

Thirurangadi134

ErnatThirur228

Nilambur86

Pe.manna215

Thirur278ponnani,170

Mhakshethram4 1 Thirur4Valiyaks.4 Tirur3

Ponani1Pradhanaks171 17 36 13 52 34&

19Cheriyaks.139Kochuks803

17100

37155

1172

33129

30,11208&139

ErnakulamDist1285

Kotamangalam78

Kunnathunad228

Aluva203 Paravur177

Kochi134 Kanayannur320

Muvattupuzha145

Maha

1 1 1 3 7

Valiya 1 2 2 1 7 Pradhana 5 42 29 21 17 44 20Cheriya 10 35 29 50 46 66 24Kochu 62 149 142 104 67 196 101

3 Basedonstructure:

Thrissurdistricttotal1513

Thalappilli439

Thrissoor401

Chowghat183

Kodungalloor103

Mukundpuram387

A. Square1163

1Ekathala9762Dwithala1573.Thrithala44.Noroof(kav)26

32026143NIL16

30126828NIL5

1421122613

9577153NIL

30525845NIL2

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B.Rectangle85Ekathala81Dwithala2Thrithala1Kaav1

22201Nil1

2726Nil1Nil

19181NilNil

22NilNilNil

1515NilNilNil

CVrithamCircle229Ekathala195Dwithala34

816417

68617

1919Nil

33Nil

584810

DApsidal7Ekathala6Dwithala1

321

33Nil

NilNilNil

NilNilNil

11Nil

E.Octagon8Ekathala7Dwithala1

Nil 11Nil

NilNilNil

11Nil

651

FonlyThara/sankalpamany(innumerable)

MalappuramDistrict1121

Thiroorangadi134

Ernat228 Nlambur96

Per.manna215

Tirur278 Ponnani170

Squaretotal808Eka693Dwithala95Thrithala1Kaav19

988711NilNil

15914513Nil1

74713Nil

14312212Nil8

1991553618

13511320Nil2

Rectangular98Eka95Dwithala1ThrithalaKaav2

1616NilNilNil

1818NilNilNil

1010NilNilNil

99NilNilNil

38351Nil2

1010NilNil

Vrutha184Ekathala152Dwithala32

16115

45396

1010Nil

584612

32257

23212

Apsidal12Eka8Dwithala4

211.

22Nil

NilNilNil

22Nil

523

111

Octagon2Ekathala1

Nil Nil 11

Nil 1 Nil

11

Dwithala1 1Others17 2 4 1 3 6 1Palghatdist1962 Ottappalam

616Mannarkhat188

Palghat386

Chittoor476 Alathoor297

Mahakshethram8 3 Nil 4 1 Nil Valiyakshethram13

6 Nil 2 3 2

Pradhanakshethram242

98 25 53 33 33

Cheriyakshethram159

48 27 20 32 16

Kochukshethram1540

461 136 290 407 246

ErnakulamDistrict ErnakulamDist1285

Kunathunad228

Aluva203

Paravur177

Kochi134

KanayaNnur320

MuvatuPuza145

KotamanGalam78

Square1070Eka939Dwi107Thri2Kaav22

19217812Nil2

17115214Nil5

1461162622

1129218Nil2

26323524Nil4

1211128Nil1

65545Nil6

Rectangular79Eka74Dwi3ThrinilKav2

871

13112

14131

13121

1616

99

66

Circular98Eka80Dwi14Trithala1Kav3

23192Nil2

14113

1293

7511

24222

13103

54

Octagon15Eka14Dwi1

Nil 22

321

11

88

11

nil

Others23 5 3 2 1 9 1 2

4 ListofveryancientandancienttemplesinCentralKerala(Thrissoor,Malappuram,Palghat,Ernakulam):

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ThrissurThalappalliTaluk:ThrissoorTaluk

VeryAncient1.kattakampal2.kadavalloor3vedakkadporkkalam4Chammanthatta5.Thalakkottukarabhagavathi6.ManaliPulachikkatSiva7Iyyalkarthyayani8PannithadamMathur9.ArangottukaraKarthyayani10.ThiruvanchikkuzhiPainkulam11PalunkilKillimangalam12NayarkulangaraAyyappan13.PanjalLakshminarayana14.AttoorKarhtyayani15.Irunilamkod16NelluvayDhanwanthari17.ChittandaKarthyayani18.VeranimangalamNarasimhaEnkakkat19.KotaliniKarthyayaniEnkakkat20.PampadiAivarMatam21.SomeswaramPampati22Thiruvilwamala1.Muntalloorsiva2.VelappayaPisharikkalBhagavathi3.PuzhakkalMuthuvaraKrishna4.AtattVishnu,siva5AyyantholaKarthyayani6ViyyoorSiva7.Nettisserisastha8kayattukaraashtamangalasiva(thuruthi)9.Vatakkunnathan10.Edakkunnisubramanyan11.ThaikkattusseriBhagavathi12.SathramUrumbinThevarManaloor13.Kallattupuzhasivaanthikkad14choorakkadbhagavathi15Anthikkadkarthyayani16Pazhuvamsubramanya17.hiruvullakkavcherpp18.CherpBhagavathi19Peruvanam20Arattupuzha

Ancient1.KorattikkaraVishnu2.KarikkadVishnu3.KakkadGanapathi4.HarikanyayurHarikanya5.VeloorKarthyayani6.VellarakkadRaman7.ThirumathaliyappanThali8.Keezhthali9.DesamangalamAnchumurthy10.NetumpraKulasekharapuramThali11.MangalamVishnu,AyyappanKav12.VenganelloorThiruvembilappan13.KontazhiThrithamThali1Velappaya2.PuzhakkalChoorakkatBhagavathi3.PoonkunnamSivan4.Paramekkav5.LaloorKarthyayani6.PookkottukavDurga7.Kanimangalamsasthaa8.cherpthiruvullakkavsastha9Oorakathamma

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ChowghatTalukKodungalloorMukundapuram

1 GovindapuramPunnayurkulam2 2padmanabhapuram

Vatakkekad3 VatakkekkadMahavishnu4 Mammiyurmahadeva5 GuruvayurKrishna6 ParambuThali7 ThirunelloorSiva

1.Kurumbakkav2MoolasthanamofKurumba3MethalaKeezhthali1KootalManikyam2.Avittathoor3.PerurkavDurga(annalloor)4.kuzhoorsubramanyan5AiranikkulamMahadevan6.KeezhattoorDurga7ChalakkudiPisharikkalBhagavathi8.KodakaraPoonilarkkavBhagavathi9.KurumaliBhagavathi10ThrikkoorMahadeva

1.VatakkekadManikanteswaram2.GuruvayurParthasarathi3.Perunthattasivan4.Brahmakkulamsivan5.VenmenattVishnu6AnnakarathrukkulasekharapuramVishnu,annapoorneswari7.Venkitangsankaranarayana8.ThrithalloorSiva9ThriprayarRama1.EdathuruthiAyyappan2.KaipamangalamVishnu3.MathilakamThrippekulamSiva4.Thiruvanchikkulam5.ThrikkulasekharapuramKrishna1.NellayiVailoorsiva2.PayammalSathrughnan3.NatavarambThrippayyathrimoorthi4.PuthanchiraThrichakrapuramSudarsanam5.Thazhekkadmahadevan6.AnnamanadaMahadevan7AmballoorMethamkulangarasasthaa8.KorattyKonarmahadeva9ChirangaraBhagavathi

PalghatOttappalam

1.KotalilMahavishnu2.PanniyurVaraham3.MalamalkkavAyyappa4.KurinjiDurgaKootalloor5.KallatathoorSiva,Vishnu,Bhagavathi6.ThirumittakkodAnchumurthi&nrisimha7.NjanghattiriDurga

1Siva20kmswpattambiedappalkuttippuramroad2.Muthuvilayumkunnusiva14kmwestofpattambi3PoovilasseriGarudaroodaVishnukmnorthofalloorstoppattambiponnaniroad4.Mulayamparambathkav

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8.EdappattavanadurgaKannaatth9.PallippuramKrishna10.Sankaranarayana,siva,vishnuThiruvegappura11.RayiranalloorDurga12IhapureswariPerumutiyur13.NetunganadMuthassiyarkotumunda14.KaithaliNethrimangalam15.ChenganamkunnuDurgakollapparambu16.OngalloorThali17.Thrikkateerimoonnumurthi18.Vayilamkunnilappan19ParuthipparaMahadevamangalamShornur20Panamannasankaranarayana21.KillikkurissimangalamDakshinamurthilakkiti

durgachalisserijn5.komangalamsiva9kmswpattambiatkoottanad,viaelavattikkal6.panayanneerirama3kmseofkoottanadatperingot7kuntaraayyappaperingodroadkoottanad8narayana(Krishna)3kmsouthofkoottupaatha9MaankulamVishnuthrithaala10siva8kmswofpattambiatthrithalaonponnaniroad11yajneswaramsivathrithalaschooljn12paakkanarKrishnaeeraattingal13sivakannattkmeastofpaalathara14kotikkunnathbhagavathipallippuram15pazhayangadithalisiva1kmsouthpfkotikkunnathonpattambipallippuramroad16.bhranhanparavanadurga17.vilangotthubhagavatikarinnanathkunnu18rayiranalloormalayilbhagavathi19perumutiyursiva3kmwestofpattambiatnewrailwaygatethence5kmNonAalikkapparambroad20katapparambathbhagavathisofongallooronshornurroad21maruthoorthalisivaoncherpulasseriroad22thrikkanaapuramnrisimha300metersofongalloormanalingaljn23thaliyilganapathi10meternofongalloorjnpattambipalghatroad

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24mahadevapandal.2kmnwofyaaramjnonvallappuzhacherulotroad25moorkkothVishnukaaralmanna26thirumullappallysivakaaralmanna27.kaakkurissisiva1kmsofmattottattrikkaakkeriroad27maattottkaavbhadrakaali28pisharikavilvanadurgamaatthott29pariyanampattamookambikamangalamkunnu30pulinkavsastha31mamballiVishnu2kmeastofmangalamkunnuatpunchappadam.32srikrishnapuramsrikrishna33perumaathottvaamana21kmeastofottappalamonmannarghatroad34ramasreekrishnapurambankofkarimpuzha35puthoorsiva500meterseofpombrajn36vettekkarasivakadambazhippuramjn37vayilakkunnilbhagavathi38.ganapathivayilamkunnujn39Aravakkatsiva40netungotsiva41trichammalthrikkovilsiva42paathirikkunnathnaagaraaja43muntamukhaayyappa5kmswofshornuratmuntaaya44sivanearpvtbusstandshornur45pallaarmangalammahavishnu46kaippayilmahadeva

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MannarghatPalghat

1.BheemanaatVishnu2.PayyanetamEnanimangalam3.ChemmannoorMalleswaram4.MalleswaranmutiMaateswaran5PallikkurippMahavishnu1.VatavarkkottkurissiSivanMannoor2.ThiruvanchisivanThenoor3.EmoorHemambika4Chandranathaswami5.Attallooragasthyeswarasiva6.KotumbChemmathiyabhagavathi7ThiruvalathoorBhagavathi8.Peruvamboottukulangarabhagavathi9.PPalathullipaloorsiva10Elappullivaaranapurisiva

47akaloorbhagavathi1chethalloorkrishnatowardssreekrishnapuramroad2.Kontoorkunnusiva1/2kmfrommullakkalsiva3Kotakkatsivaatbheemanatstop4MelthrikkovilsubramanyaalanalloorHospjn5.NjeralathRamanwofkottopadamjnonmelaatoorroad6ValluvanpuzhaKrishnanrisimha3kmsofmannarghatthroughnjettarkadavroad7.Vattambalamvanadurga5kmwofmannarghat8Thonippuramsasthavattambalam9Arakkurisiudayankavbhadrakalimannarghatjn10.Peranchatardhanareeswarasivamannarghat11.KesavapuramVishnu400meterfromviyyakkurissi.mannarghatpalakadroad12thrikkalloorsubramanyachooriyote13.BhattiyilsivakirathamurthyPonumkoteayyappankav14chullisserirama1KallappaadiVishnuandsivakeralasseristop2.chirakkikkavbhadrakaali3koothambakkasivamankarapanchayath4kaalikavdevimankarakoothupaathastop

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ChittoorAlathoor

1.lankeswaramsivan2.Pallavur3.Akhileswaram4.Kachamkurichi1ThrippaloorVishnu,Siva2.Vantazhimathoorthanthalod3.ThiruvaraMahadeva4.Anchumoorthimangalamsudarsana5Rishinaradamangalam6PuthukkodBhagavathiannapoorneswari

5Mankurissibhadrakalisamejn6.PunnakkurissisivaAyyarmalastop7thrippamkunnusiva8.kothakulangaramookambika9chemminikkavbhadrakali10natuvasserisiva11paalakkeezhdurga12ramatheerthamrama,lakshmanatenariroad(palghatpollachi)1siva200meterfrompeetikottemariyamman2varadarajaperumalVishnuottarajnvatavannoorpanchayath3kotamannumadurameenakshicheraakkoot4ayyappacherakkot5kootalloorkarthyayani6kootalloorsubramanyaonkumaramputhoorroad7krishnaclosetopallavoortemple8pothundisivapothundijn9sreemannarayanawithbhoodevisredeviayiloor10peringottukavbhagavatielavancheri11somankurissisivavattekkadongayathribank.dilapidated1MauthoorKrishnapulpoormandamjnonkulavanmukkutalannurjnBharathapurambharathamandamjn2Thrippannoorsiva3itukkavbhagavathi4paandikkulangara

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sankaranarayana

MalappuramThirooranghadiEranatNilambur

1.KeranalloorDurga,Peruvalloor2.Paappanoorsiva3.ThrikkulamsivaThiroorangadi4.Venniyursiva5.Vaalakkulamsiva6.Klariambalavattomsubramanyan1.ChevayursubramanyaswamiPulikkal2.ThaliAZhinjilam3.KottakurumbabhagavathiPuthukkod4.ValiyakuttisseriVishnuolavannappara5.DurgaMuthuvalloor6.NeeramgatVilayilnarasimham7.salagramanarasimhaputhilam8.Bhakthapriyamsiva,Vishnu,bhadrakaliManjeri9.Karikkatsubramanya10.ParthasarathiCheruvannoor11.sankaranarayanakulanelloor12ooranatathsivamanjeri13Melakamkaalikavbhagavathimanjeri14perumthrikkovilThrippanachisiva1kailasa,Thiruvaali

1.Niramkaithakkottabhagavathi2.Kuntucholasivavaliyora3.Subramanyakotuvayur4.cherukunuannapoorneswariothukkungal1.AriyilsivaAzhinjilam2cheriyakuttisseriMahavishnuvazhakkat3.NatuvathSivakarikkat4thirumanikkaraguruvayurappanthrikkalangot5.Vellekkatbaladurgavalluvnat6MukhathammannasivaMancheri7DurgaPanthaloor8DurgaAvinnoor9Durga,Ayyappapaappinippara10Sivapulpatta11MahadevaMorayur12Poyilikarinkalinediyirupp13Mahasivnediyirupp14Thripuranthakakunnummal15Chennaathsivakunnummal1Mannathibhagavathikaippinikkadav2.Banapuram

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Perinthalamanna

1ayoorsivaedappatta2.Thirumandhamkunnuangadippuram3.Thaliangadippuram

thripurasundariVaaniyambalam3.sivawantoorporur4Neelamkurichisasthakaruvarakkuntu1putharmannasivamelattoor2muthukurussisasthakeezhattoor3.Akhileswarinenmini4kailothsivathachinganadam5.VellilaManjerikav6.Arangotsivamakkarapparamb7.Mutappulaappillivishnupatinjattumuri8.pisharikkalbhagavatipaangu9.sivapuzhakkaattiri10.AalikkalmanadhanwanthariEeranthod11sivaperinthalmanna12vellaatputhoorsivaperinthalmanna13.eravimangalmsubramanyaperinthamamanna14thalialipparamba15kunnummalbhagavathiaanamangat16mattayikunnubhagavathipaalathol17rudradhanwantharipulamanthol18.sivakuruvambalam19,sivamangalamvengad20.cheruthrikkovilsivakolathuur1Mahavishnurayiramangalam2krishnakeraladheeswaram

20

ThiroorPonnani

1.Venkitathevarkottakkal2.ponmalasiva3.ThekkuthmahadevaIrumbiliyam4.VanadurgaThozhuvannoor5.Mahadevavaikkathoor6.Painkannoorsiva7.Navaamukundan8.PerumthrikkovilRamaandHanumanaalathiyur9.Thrupranghotmahasiva1ThrikkavDurga2.BrahmaThavanoor3.CheruthirunavaThavanoor4.DakshinamurthySukapuram5.MookuthalaBhagavathi

3.ThrikkandiyurMahadeva4.KanmanamMahasiva5.PaandamangalamKrishnakottakkal6.Kaatampuzha7.Hrishiputhoorsivaetayur8.Pisharikkaldurgaperassannoor9.Kaithrukkovilsivakolathool10.chamravattomayyappa11.sivamangalam12Vallamaruthoordurgamangalam1KantamkurumbaEzhuvathuruthi2AnthimahakalanAnaloor3.SivaMalloor4.ThirumaaniyurSivaKaladiEdappaal5.sivakavapra6.PuramundekkatSivaVattamkulam7KotalilVishnuVamanaAyilakkat8.Perumudisserivettakkorumakaneramangalam9.KoyappallySivaPerumpadapp10MookkuthalaBhagavathi

Ekm 1.CheranelloorSiva2.ThottuvaDhanwanthariKoovappadi3.VengoorDurgaKeezhillam4.KallilDurgaRockcutMethala

1.ChelamattamKrishna2.Okkalmahavishnu3.Kuzhappillikavbhagvathiperumbavoor4.Muriyamangalamnrisimha

21

5.KeezhillamMahadeva6.IringolBhagavathiPerumbavoor7.AirapuramBhagavathi8.thrikkalathurRama9thiruvaniyurKrishnaswami

5chemmanatGaruda

Aluva

1LakshmanaMoozhikkalam2.VengoorDurgaAngamali3.ChengamanadaMahadeva4.Trupurayarsivachovvara5.MahadevaThottakkattukara6.KrishnaChovvara7.DurgaEtanat8.KarthyayaniManikyamangalam

1kothakulangarabhagavati2thirunayathodsankaranarayana3Cheriyathnrisimha4Airanikulammahadeva5kaladiKrishna6.kaarpallikavmahadeva

Paravoor

1TiruvalurMahadevaAalangat2MatathilappanUliyannoor3ThirumuppamMahadeva4PeruvaramMahadevaParavur

1.NaaraanamKrishna2.KunnaaththaliArdhanareeswara

kanayannur 1EdappallyMahadeva2VitaakkuzhaKrishnaThayikkattukara3.ThrikkakkaraVamana4.ChottanikkaraBhagavathi5.Ametasapthamathrunagakanyaudayamperur6NettoorThrikkamahadeva7PoornathrayeesaThrippoonithura

1Vaittilasivasubramanya2.Edappalliganapathi3.pavakkulammahadeva4.Perantoorbhagavathi5cheranalloorkarthyayani6KureekkatKrishna7Udayamperurperumthrikkovilmahadeva8Kumbalamkalathilbhagavathi9Chakkamkulangarasiva10Thripponithurakumbalamkalathilbhagavathi

Muvattupuzha 1KoothattukulamMahadeva 1Anikkatthiruvaamplavilmahadeva2.OOramanadharmasasthaandnrisimha3.Pazhoorperumthrikkovilmahadeva

Kothamangalam 1MahadevaThrikkariyur2.ThiruvaarappettyMahadevaVaarappetty

Kochi 1Ayyampillimahadeva2.Thrikkatakappillibhagavathi

Deity Pushpam Nivedyam SpecialVazhipad

22

1.ForallDeities2.Dakshinamurthi3.Siva4.Mahavishnu5.Sankaranarayana6Malsyamurthy7.Koormamurthy8Varahamurthy9.Nrisimha10vamana11.Parasuraman12.Raman13Krishnan14Balaraman15LakshmiParvathiSaraswathi16.BhadrakaliChamundi17Ganapati18Subramanyan

Thulasi,thechi,mandara,thamara,plas(brahmasakha)pichaka,arali(karaveera)bilwa,eruk,whiteflowersThulasiBilwa,Thulasi

SudarsanahomamPalpayasamThrimadhuramNeypayasam,KadalippazhamThrimadhuramSarkkarappayasamPanakamKadalippazham,PalppayasamAvilAvil,PalppayasamVenna,Palppayasam,AvilIdichupizhinjapaayasamPalppayasam,Panchamritham,Neypayasam,BhagavathisevaKatumpayasamPonkalaAppam,modakamAta,sarkara,NalikeramArippotiPaalabhishekamPanchamrithamAppam,

Rudrabhishekam,Bhasmabhishekam.ElaneerabhishekamRudrahomamMrithyunjayamKarukahomamVellanedyamkalamezhuthupattganapthiseva/HomamSasthampaatt,Kalamezhuth

23

19.Sasthaa20Vettekkaran21Adityan22Hanuman23Nagam

AravanaappamAviluzhunnuvda

ChathussathamThengayeruKalampattPonkalaThamboolamaalaNoorumpalumPulluvanpattNagarootKalam

1 Chapter 1

555 . 120 . . , , , . (,,) , , , . () . . () . ,() .

Length of kerala 555 km. Breadth maximum 120 KM . Malabar has the maximum length and breadth . Those who rule over the area between the Mountain and the sea are the people of Malavaara/Malabaar. In Tamil it is Malai Aali. (Alluka =To rule). Maavaar or Maabaar was another older name for the place and Maabhaaratha Pattar (Mahabharatha Bhattar) were scholarly Brahmins of Malabar from ancient times. The name of Bhaarathi, Mahabharathi or Brahmi is thus from the Malabar between Bharathappuzha and Sahya . The language has ascending and descending wavy patterns like a Phaneeswara,wavy configuration of a Naaga , and thus it got the name Naagari and Devanaagari .

( ) . , () . . ( --) ( --) . () . .( ) . . , 2 . ,,() . ( ) . . .

24

. (,,,, . . ,, ,, . . () .

From Mahishmathi in Maharashtra ( banks of Narmada) to Kalkarainad (Thrikkaakkara) in the south was under the rule of Mooshaka Dynasty .Mooshaka Haihaya dynasty belongs to Chandravansa (Lunar race).Upto Karnataka was the upper division, from Gokarna to Kanyakumari was lower division. The lower division (Kerala) was again divided into Netumpurainad (the bigger hill country) and the Kurumpurainad (The smaller hill country) but both were under one administrative unit. Together this was called Golaadri (Koladri/Kolatthiri). Southern Koladri Netumpranaad was again Thalappalli Melvattam,keezhvattam (between Periyar and Perar ) and Vaalvattam in Valppaara upto Kongu country in Tamil Nad.All these belonged to Chera dynasty .In the Northern Kolathiri , Karnataka,Thulu and Maharashtra are also included and they are generally called the Kantharava (Gandharva) race of kings. In the Kanthirava kula of southern Kolathiri there are Peruvanam and Cheruvanam ( big and small forests) The emperor for both these is Valluva (Vallabha/Vallava) konathiri who has a capital in Thalappalli melvattam . His Vaalnambi (protectors ) are Thalappalli Cheraalayam (Chiralayam) Chittanjoor,Manakkulam,Kumarapuram and Eliyanghat Mooshakavanam . Chirakkal is their seat of commanders and yuvarajas. Aarangot is the cheruvanam (smaller forest) cherukaad. The position of Valluvakkonathiri, Vellaalappaad,Thachaarppaad,Erolppaad,Kulathoor was decided depending upon the oldest members of their male progeny.All of them were protectors of Panniyur Varahamoorthy Kazhakam .All of them had Ramakhatamooshaka , son of Parasurama , as their first ancestor .

. . . ,,,, 5 . . . , . ,,,,,, . .

The word meaning of Valluvakkonathiri is the emperor of entire Valluvanad . Aadivalluvanad extended from Sahyamountains in west,Goodalur Panthaloor upto the place where River Nila joins the ocean in the west, and therefore was called Kunnalakkonaathiri . This word has 5 words in it .(Kunnu= Hill; Ala= wavy oceans; Kon=Emperor;Adi=The first ; Iri= The place or Capital where the king sits.)In Mooshakavansakavya , the first king Ramaghatamooshaka first explores these geographic parts , and his son Nandana , the first Kerala Emperor , a

Kaatava king, ruled with his capital in the Hill country in and around Palghat pass . During Zamorins rule ,Valluvanad is only parts of the present Mannarghat,Perinthalmanna Taluks.During British times ,Palghat,Ottappaalam,Perinthamamanna,Ponnani,Mancheri ,Mannarghat Taluks were in the Valluvanad. Thalappalli Keezhvattom and parts of Thalappalli melvattam remained with independent rulers. When we study the history of ancient Kerala , we have to include entire Adivalluvanad .

25

(, ) ( . , ). , () . , . , . . , 2 . , . . ( ) . ., ,,, . . . () , . . .

26

() () . () . , (). , . . . 11 , . 2 . 9 . 100 () . 5 .. . ()11 24 . . 11 , . . . () , . . , . 2 . . (). . ( ). () . () (). . .

. , , . ( ) ( ) , . 1762 . ( ). . , . 1400 . . . . , . () .(40000-50000 ). .

Genetics of Melathol Agnihothri and his Ashtagriha ( 8 homes) are interesting. All Andhraka sathakarnis and

Bharatha race has their father in Viswamithra and mother in the Apsara/Gaandharvi Menakas daughter Sakunthala. Paathaayikkara,one among the Ashtagriha of Agnihothri, is Viswamithragothra. His oldest abode is in

27

Kadavalloor Panchayath , near Kunnamkulam upto AD 1792. The western Kuruvayur Moos family had a seat in Venkatakkotta , the end of Sethagiri from central India. Pathayikkara from Kadavalloor , Karuvayur Moos from Venkatakkotta were expelled from their ancestral places by Zamorins. Vemancheri mana ( successors of Agnihothri) is 1400 years old .If a home is 1400 years old, the genes of the people who occupied it must be older than that. Similarly , the Petroglyphs and megaliths must be younger than the genes of those who made it. Perumal kallar ( the stonesmiths of the Perumaal) are an ancient race which gives us the ancestry of Yadu and Pooruvansa. Those who made the first megaliths,the first petroglyphs were the first to make the idol of Perumal (Vishnu) and the first to make cave dwellings and Vaasthu possible. The genetic age of Perumal kallar is 40000-50000 years according to Madurai Kamaraj University studies. These smiths are called Naagavansa,Oviyar ,Kaaru etc in South India and Srilanka .What are their trails in Kerala ?

, 50000 , . . , 50000 . . ( , ). . ,. 50000 , . 2000 .

Late Acheulian ,Lower and Middle Paleolithic old stone tools were unearthed from Malampuzha,Kaanjirappuzha valleys. Both these are tributaries of Bharathappuzha,alias Nila. The tool manufacturing factory of Palghat is 50000 BC old. The genes of those who made it possible must be older than that. First human race, then their manmade tools is the natural order . Since both the tools and the human gene is minimum 50000 years old , their creations too would have started to emerge in the same time.

, . ( ) . (4000 ) ( ) . (, ,). () . .( ..) . () () . . , ,, . ,. ( ) . . . . . .

28

. , , . .

Microlithic tools factory is seen in Chevayur , and near Malampuzha dam. Quartz Rock crystal Industry is the name used for these factories. But , how can the historians say that it is only 4000 years old ? They made the guess, simply by the similarity to fossilized sanddune industry (Thery) of Thirunelveli district. Microlithic Industry is noticed in Ponnani valley between Palghat and Shornur ( Quartz,Rock crystal,Dune).The largest menhir (Nadukal) of South India is between Perinthalamanna and Mannarghat in Valluvanad and the placename is Natukal.(M R Raghavawarier). Chalcedony (chert) industry is seen in Marayur (Idukki)Rock shelters. The wallpictures there are possibly the earliest examples for chumarchithra of Kerala temples. All these were created by wandering tribes,forest dwellers, hilltribes. We are successors of these ancient people , though evolved in several ways. Using microlithic instruments man learned to make cupshaped depression, to drill into hills making cave homes, and from that early age there had been continuous inhabitation in our land and thus a mixture of different periods are seen in caves like Thovary,Edakkal etc. The movable articles like coins,utensils and beads are not the correct things to be taken into account for determining the age and culture, since they do travel from place of origin to other areas. But the microlithic Industrial sites, the cupmarkings on Rocks remain where they were first created.

DiscoveryofPaleolithicCupmarkingsonRocksurfacesinKerala

KeralaoccupiesaveryimportantplaceinthehistoryofIndia,becauseofitsvastseacoast,presenceofSahyaMountainswhichbringslotofseasonalrainfallsandbiodiversity,forestgoods,andthemonsoonswhichhaveaclockworkprecisionasMalabarManualofWilliamLoganhaspraised.TheAsianMonsoonsstartedlinkedtotheupliftofTibetanplateau,aftercollisionofIndiansubcontinentwithrestofAsia,around50millionyearsago,accordingtoGeologists.Theybecameverystrongaround8millionyearsago,andbetween158millionyears,thewestcoastofIndiaduetocontinuousrhythmicmonsoonsdevelopedanunprecedentedbiodiversity,whichisseennowhereelseinthesubcontinent.ThefirstBritishIndianrecordscallthistheNairyuthyamaaruth(WindsfromtheSouthwest/SouthWestMonsoon)inSanskritlanguage.

. , () , ,,, , . .

29

50 . 8 . 15 8 . ,, .

TheprimitivePaleolithicpeopleofthesubcontinent,livinginthewestcoastwatchedthetimelymonsoons,itseffectsonthemandtheirfood,ontheirprosperity,tradeandcommerce.Theregularobservationofcyclicalseasonsandrains,ofthelunisolarmovementsaroundastellarclock,anditsobservationatnightwhichwasmandatoryfortheseagoingtribesofcoastalareasdevelopedstargazingandastronomy,andadvancedMathematicsinKerala.ThetradeandcommerceofIndiabasedonspices,forestgoodsetcismultifactorial,andwasdevelopedbythePaleolithicperiodonwardsbythepeople.1Observationofearthanditsenvironment,andmakinguseofitforonessurvivalispartofhumanbeingsnature.Therefore,thepeopleoftheWestcoastmusthavebeentherefromearlyPaleolithictimes,watchingthestellarmaps,makingitsdiagrammaticrepresentationsonrocks,cavesandlateronintemples.AdetailedstudyofthehistoryofKeralabasedontemplesandrockartsisundertakenbyourTrust(DrSuvarnaNalapatTrustforEducationandResearch)withpermissionfromtheDevasomBoards,ArcheologicalSocityofIndia,ZamorinsandconcernedTemplecommitteesandAuthorities.Someofthesewerepublishedonline.2,3,4.

, , ,,. . . , , . . ,, . .,

, , , , .

WhendidPaleolithicartstartinKerala?ManyArcheologistsandhistoriansbeginthejourneyfromEdakkalThovarycaves.Myjourneyalsostartedthere,inthe1980s.5ButthereareseveralgapsinthehistoryoftheearliestinhabitationinKeralaandtheearliestavailablecaveandrockdrawings.Inmysojourn,Ihavecollectedafewrelics,hithertounnoticedandunreportedandhenceimportantforthestudentsofhistory.

. . 1980 . .

30

. .

HistoryofPaleolithicRockArt:

RockorCaveartcanhelpusunderstandmoreaboutthewaysofourearlyancestors,howtheyhunted,lived,ate,howtheyviewedandunderstoodtheworldaroundthem.

, ,,,, . 3 .

3typesofRockArt:

1. Petroglyphsarecarvingsintostonesurfaces,onpartoftherockitself.TheReliefsevolvedoutofthisstyle.Petroglyphs are generally made by removing the surface of the rock, by carving, scratching, drilling, or sculpting. The markings can be dyed or painted, or enhanced through polishing. Petroglyphs have been discovered all over the populated world. Some of these images have a special cultural and/or religious significance for the societies that created them. The most important, but mysterious, type of petroglyph is the cupule- a non-functional cup-shaped hole created by percussion in the horizontal or vertical surface of a rock. By far the oldest art, discovered on every continent except Antarctica, and continued to be created throughout all three eras of the Stone Age. Cupules have also been referred to as "pits", "hollows", "cups", "cup marks" - even "pot-holes". Relief sculpture also appeared at a relatively early stage(23000 BCE) . . , . . . . . . . 3 . 23000 . .

2. Pictographs(rockandcavepainting)Paintingsandcarvingsonrocksurfaceandwallofcaves.Couldbesubterraneanoronsurfaceofground.Creation of monochrome or polychrome images through the application of pigments, like carbon, manganese and various oxides. As pictographs are far less weather resistant than engravings, most surviving pictography is in the form of underground cave paintings, or outdoor markings under overhanging rock. Prehistoric artists began by painting with their fingers. Later, they

31

used lumpy pigment crayons, or brushes constructed from animal hair or vegetable fibre. The most advanced pictographic techniques included spray painting, using reeds or specially hollowed bones.Colours were mineral, animal or vegetable sources (eg. clay ochres, charcoal, manganese dioxide, calcium phosphate from crushed animal bone, carrot juice and berries, animal blood and urine). The most popular subjects were hunting scenes, which typically included pictures of bison, horses, reindeer, cattle and aurochs. Other creatures portrayed, included: lions, mammoths, wolves, foxes, hares, hyenas, fish, reptiles, and birds. By comparison, images of humans appear less frequently. Prehistoric painters also produced a significant amount of abstract art incorporating dots, lines, and other geometric motifs. cave paintings throughout the world include numerous symbols, ideograms, anthropomorphs and zoomorphs. Regarding these pictographical symbols, it is worth remembering that pictographs were the basis of cuneiform and hieroglyphic writing, as well as the writing systems used in Ancient India, China, Sumeria, and Egypt.They are still used in Tribal Art . .,, . . . .,, . .( . .( ). . . . .

3. Petroforms or Megaliths (art made by aligning or piling natural stones). (All the three were found in Kerala. ) Megalithic rock art is best exemplified by the complex spiral engravings at the entrance of the Newgrange Neolithic passage Tomb , in Ireland.Megaliths are numerous in Kerala .

. .3 .

The most obvious characteristic of rock art (whether petroglyph or pictograph) is its "artistic" quality, but this is sometimes the most difficult attribute to establish. Take cupules, for instance. These cup-like hollows are the most ubiquitous and varied type of prehistoric human markings, yet archeologists and anthropologists remain baffled as to their meaning or significance. Many think that they are non-utilitarian , but it is not so. Cupules have cultural significance of some kind, After all, Rock art traditionally includes a wide variety of man-made markings, such as those created to mark/map territory

32

(geocontourglyphs), pictorialize the stars, record events, or illustrate myths and other rituals.

. . () . . . . . (). , , .

Experts believe that the earliest recorded rock art is the Bimbektha petroglyph art in Central India, a series of 10 cupules and an engraving, which were uncovered during the 1990s in a quartzite rock shelter at Bhimbetka. These markings date from at least 290,000 BCE but are likely to be much older (c.700,000 BCE or earlier).The present series of Cupules in Palghat District, Kerala state ,discovered by me, in 2013 , contains more than 50 cupoles forming a huge Reptile figure. This must be as old as that of Bimbektha .

, . 1990 10 . 2,90000 700000 . 2013 51 . ( , ,) ., . , .

Pre-Historic Art Timeline:

1. 1 Paleolithic (2,500,000 - 3,000- BCE)

Lower Paleolithic (2,500,000 - 200,000 BCE) Lower Paleolithic Rock Art associated with very primitive petroglyphs, like cupules and crude engravings Major works include:

. .

Auditorium Cave Petroglyphs, Bhimbetka (290,000-700,000 BCE) Auditorium Rock Shelter, Madhya Pradesh, Central India ()

Daraki-Chattan Cave Petroglyphs (290,000-700,000 BCE) Indragarh Hill, Madhya Pradesh, Central India. It is to this group my collection from Kerala is being added. Old Stone Age - 2.5 million to 15,000 years ago - a time period that spans 95% of human history) - the age in which stone tools were made by chipping or flaking.

. . . (2.5 15000 ) .

33

Lower Paleolithic (2.5 million 200,000 years ago). The main hominins who existed during this period were: Homo habilis from 2.2 to 1.6 million years ago (earliest tool-maker and possible speaker), Homo erectus from 2.0 to 0.4 million years ago (the species thought to have moved out of Africa - tool maker, speaker, weapon-user, fire-user and eater of cooked food) & Homo sapiens archaic from 400 to 200 thousand years ago; That means, the earliest inhabitant of west coast of India (Kerala) belonged to these early archaic Homosapiens , judging from the Cupola (cupmarks) made on rock surface.

TheStoneAgeinaparticularregionendedwithevidenceoftheearliestknownmetalimplements,andgenerallyendsbetween6,000and4,000BCE..6http://www.heritageinstitute.com/zoroastrianism/prehistoricsites/dawn.htm

(2.5 -200000 ) ( , 2.2 1.6 ,

(2 -0.4 ). ,,, , () . .( .

400000-200000 . . , . 6000-4000 . , .

Middle Paleolithic (200,000 - 40,000 BCE) Upper Paleolithic (40,000-10,000 BCE)

MESOLITHIC ERA (Europe: c.10,000 - 4,000 BCE)

In India

Bhimbetka Rock Paintings and Stencilled Images (c.9,000-7,000 BCE) Madhya Pradesh, India

Pachmari Hills Rock Paintings (c.9,0003,000 BCE) Satpura Range of Central India

Similar paintings exist in South India.One of the earliest paintings of a Black man (Krishna) with a flute , painted on the belly of a Vessel with handle, and a spout with a goats face (Aja/Brahman) depicting a Krishnamesha was discovered in my study on rock surface of Parouli in Thrissur District where lot of polished cupmarkings and stylized art form also co-

34

exist .This shows a continuity of Lower Paleolithic to Mesolithic habitation of the geographic area by early people.

. . . . , . (). .

3. NEOLITHIC ERA (Europe: c.4,000 - 2,000 BCE) .

Cupmarks (Cupules) the oldest art form

At the beginning of the Upper Paleolithic era of prehistory (from 40,000 BCE onwards), fine arts appeared in caves and Rock surfaces in many parts of the world. Drawn or carved on the walls and ceilings of caves /rock surfaces (parietal art) became more integrated into settlements and daily life and later portable sculptures (mobiliary art), often of small female "venus figurines", animals, or pictures and symbols started to appear. Since one cannot move the fixed art on rock and cave walls , they are more reliable than the mobiliary art , which travels from place to place.

Theoldestknownrockartisthecupmarking.Found on every continent except Antarctica,theseearliest form of art,iscalledthe"cupule",by archeologist Robert G. Bednarikto.Descriptionofacupuleis:simple, round hemispheric cavities that used to be known as "pits", "hollows", "cups", "cupels", "cup stones", "pitmarks", "cup marks" - even "pot-holes". The oldest known art dating from at least 290,000 BCE is the series of Cupules discovered an ancient quartzite cave called Auditorium Cave, Bhimbetka, Madhya Pradesh (north central India). The cave is a 25m long horizontal cave and in the centre stands an enormous boulder called Chief's Rock (2.5m high and 3.4m wide). http://www.ancientcraft.co.uk/reenactment/prehistoric_art.html

In 1990, nine cupules with evidence of a red pigment were found on Chief's Rock and in 1991a further cupule was found with meandering line next to it. These were covered by deposits from the Acheulian and later periods, so allowing dating. However later research by other dating methods (micro-erosion analysis) suggested that these cupules were made 700,000 years ago.

(40000 ) . . ( ). .1990 9 , 1991 - 10 . 700,000 .

35

Fig 1 Kuppikkivi Hartola cupmarks called Sacrificial stones .Finland.for comparison with Cup marks at Muthalamada,Palghat ( shown in Figures 3 and 4).

. , , ( 3, 4) .

.

A study by Genevieve von Petzinger (University of Victoria) has identified 26 symbols 7 repeatedly appear as prehistoric art over 25,000 years over four continents.

26 Repetitive symbols used in Rock Art according to Genevieve von Petzinger ( These are seen in IVC Harappan artefacts as well as in Kerala Temple sites which I have reported earlier ) .. 26 25000

.

36

.

Aviform

Circle.

Clayform

Cordiform

Crosshatc

Cruciform

Cupule

Dot n

Finger-Fl

Flabellifo

Half circl

,

t

m on

m

ch n

m

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lute

orm

le ad

,

36

,

,

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,

37

Line

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Positive h

Open ang

Oval a

Pectiformo

Penniform

Quadrang

Reniform

Scalarifor

Serpent

Spiral

hand

hand

gle

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rm k

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DiscoveryinK

.Muthalamadmoreorlessunvident.TheolrocodileorMrocodileandncientGovindheMuthalaisromMuthalamectroglyphanupolaandpicheeyeofthe , . . ,

Kerala:

daPanjayathniformsize,aldeststellarm

Muthala.TheCtheverynamdapuraandKsdenotingthemadashowsndaPictograpctograph,andSimsumarap .,) ,,

h,PalghatDisandthemanmmapofIndiaiCupolastakenmeofthevillagKaachaamkurieoldeststellaeriesofcupolph.)Figures5dismorepolipictographind . 5, 6 .

38

Tectiform

Triangle

Zigzag

strict:ThereamadenatureaisaSimsumaantogethergivgebeingMutichi(VishnutearmapofSimlasmadeinto5and6fromPishedwithadicatingalate . ,

m am

areaseriesofanditssignificara(ADolphivesashapeofthalamada,aempleofKasymsumara.FiguoananimalfiParoulialsosdefiniteformerevolutiont. .

f Cupmarkingscanceasastein/ormorecofaReptileresanditslocatioyapa)showstures3and4.igure(CombinshowcombinaandacrystathantheMuth ,. . .

sfairlybiganellarmapisorrectlyasemblingaoninthevicinthepictograp.Figure3andnationofationofPetrollineglobuleahalamadaon

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ndof

ityofhofd4

ogliphase.

39

2.Parouli.ThrissurDistrict .( 6) . ,,, . , .

Herealsothelargestcupola,believedtobeBheemasfeetbylocalpeople,onclosescrutinyhasshapeofaReptile,andthemouthiscarved,theeyeismadeofasparklingradiantmaterialresemblingaLens.(Figure6).TheartisticsymbolismofSimsumaraasthestellarmapisevident.ThesiteissaidtowherePanchaliandherfiveconsortsspentafewdaysduringtheirexile.Thereareseparatebathingghatswithperennialwaterbodiesforall6ofthem,andseveralcupolas,notinaseriesbutsingly,oneofthemsaidtobethefeetofBheema.(Pictures5and6.Fig7and8showstheearliestpaintingofKrishnaonvesselonsamerocksurfacecoexistingwithCupulesdemonstratingcontinuityofLowerPaleolithicandMesolithicinhabitationatsamesite.) I.

Thalappalli Megaliths Megaliths as we have seen are the newest among the three types of stone age remnants and their existence in Kerala show a prolonged continuity of human inhabitation form lower Paleolithic to new stone age and beyond. In South IIndia the megalithic sites are called Paandukkooli (Paandukkuzhi or underworlds of the ancestors of

40

Pandu/Pandava lineage)In some of them bone pieces and household utensils were found while others do not show such things. In Kerala 6 types of megaliths are identified. To these, historians ascribe BC 300- AD 300 timespan. The unscientific way of determining the continuity of human inhabitation in Kerala from such a late period , as late sangham period, I have earlier pointed out. We can only understand that from prehistoric lower Paleolithic times , to Neolithic and to late sangham periods these parts had continuous human habitation. Just by looking at the age of the household utensils which are movable and migratory , one cannot fix the date of the megalith.

() , . 6 . 3 3 . , .

1. Rockcut tombs

,,, ( ) . , .(). . . . ( ) . , . , , , . . . . ,, ( ) ,, . . .

Trissur,Malappuram ,Kozhikod,Kannur (both North and South Malabar) show rockcut tombs. Circular,Oval, as Dravidian style with one or more rooms , a small rectangular door , two or more stone benches for sitting and sleeping , an open courtyard, and the main entrance facing East , according to the Vasthu rule shows these were not tombs, but meant for living quarters by people. These are called Munimada (the home of Sages) in local language which ascertains the use of them as living quarters of sages. Only very few of them show an entrance to North, showing that they were built for doing Prayopavesa Samadhi .For the main room of the cave, a central pillar is provided .In such rooms mudpots,other utensils including iron implements, tripods,stone beads and pearls,brass vessels have been identified .All these are evidence for the caves being used for living. In Vedaranya (Porkkalam) near Kunnamkulam one can see many of such remains. Kandanasseri also is a site where we have several megaliths concentrated.

2.& 3

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. 4 4 . 4 4 . . . , . , . . . ,. . ,,, , , , ( ) ,. , . . Underneath the granite umbrella will be usually seen a pot. For hatstones 4 pieces of granites as 4 pillars will be eructed. The 4 pillars are slightly inclined according to a geodesic so that they represent the 4 directions. In such structures bone is not seen. In some a small opening , for keeping a lamp will be seen. One is a Pithru or ancestor stone (with bone) and the other is a Daivappura (primitive temple) .One is that of Sthaani Chera as Mandladhipathi who has a royal umbrella.The other is that of an emperor who has done Hiranyagarbha and sarvaswadaana and become akin to a

Brahmin (Brahmakshathra).There is a saying in Valluvanad To eruct an umbrella upon an umbrella. This saying originated among Valluvanat Sthanis due to the continuous culture of Megalithic Umbrellas. History of Vallabhas is also history of Mooshakavansa and it begins with Parasurama and Karthaveeryarjuna story. Karthaveerya belongs to Hehaya,Yadava clan and to lineage of Soma,Budha,pururavas, Yayathi, Pooru,Yadu ,and to Athri,Dathathreya family of Gurus. River Nila alias Ponnani puzha originates at the sacrificial and meditative seat of Kasyapa, Athri and Dathathreya. We will see these places again when we consider each of the temple sites.

4 Dolmanoid cyst

4 4 . . . () . , , .

On 4 sides 4 stones as walls and a fifth as roof. Such a room is a ARA or a room. Around it a circle of stones will be arranged. Sometimes within a circle more than one dolmen will be seen. In them a square is created with granite , and the roof is covered with another granite piece.These are the predecessors of earliest temples.

5. () pots called Nannangadi (Burial urns)

. . A pot is kept inside a pit and after cremation of the dead body, the bone pieces collected during sanjayana is put in it. Above ground a stone piece is eructed to mark the site of burial. Sometimes a stone circle is created outside.

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6., Menhirs

. . . . . () , ( , ) . , () .

. . (2000 ). . 24 ,( ) ,,,, . () . ,,, . . .

Menhirs are called Pulachikkal in local dialect. A single stone is eructed and this is known as Naattukal (the stone of the village/territory) if it is fairly big . Very rarely above the stone piece (vertical) a horizontal piece with a human form is seen as in Thirunelli and Thirunakkara temple premises. Pula in Tamil means a cave. The early inhabitants who lived in Pula(Guha) or caves were Aranyakas (who made Aranyaka part of Veda) and were Pulavar (scholars and bards in Tamil) and Pulachikkal are memoirs of such sages and scholars and cavedwelling Aranyakas , either eructed by themselves or by their immeadite successors. For several centuries they remain forgotten and then surface again, usually related to a history of an Adivasi (Pulachi) seeing blood on stone (oxides of iron) when a metal instrument is sharpened on it. Such stories are numerous related to temples of Kerala.

The fact that Megaliths are prominent in Kunnamkulam in Thalappalli Taluk is not an accidental event. According to Census of Kerala Temples, the number of Very ancient temples are more in Thalappalli Taluk (More than 2000 years old). One of the oldest branches of Mooshakavansa lived there. 24 KMs Northwest of Thrissur Aiyyaal ,Chovvannur,Kakkaad,Porkkalam,Kaattakampaal,Kandaanasseri and Agathiyur abound in megaliths. In Porkkalam umbrella stones ,Dolmens,pots,cavedwellings are numerous.Within one Hecatre of land, such abundance of megaliths is not reported anywhere else in the world. This indicates antiquity of Thalappalli .

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, , . .( ). . , . . , . . ,. , , .( ) 5 . . . 5 . . .

Following Thalappalli Melvattam, Edappalli melvattam begins geographically. Vaalppally is Vaalppara area upto Karuvoor near Thiruchirappally. Administration being centralized around temples , temples were spiritual,intellectual,and emotional centers of a people and were solutions also to physical day to day problems. Therefore the chiefton in charge of the temple had to be selfless, compassionate,intelligent and wise, and scholarly in all scriptures and judiciary and economical aspects .Such people had to follow Dharmma of protecting all impartially. Therefore such qualities were cultivated early in life. The oldest and the greatest among the 5 branches become Kovil Adhikarikal ( Protectors of temples).The second become scholarly in law and order ,defense and administration and is the king who rules the country. The third in age is the commander in Chief, the Vaal nimbi or Nambidi. The 4th and 5th become the mahamanthri (advisor) and Nidhi kaappavar (Treasurer) and their roles are depicted in the

44

Panchapaandava story . During late sangham period there were 5 prominent Kurunilamannar in Thalappalli Taluk of Malabar. All the 5 belong to Kaadava vansa and are brothers and are having the agewise roles described above. Once the status is bestowed , they have to occupy specific seats .Sometimes according to change in capital , these places also change.But the system does not.

1. . (). . () .

Paari Vallal in Sangham literature lived in Parambimala, which is present Parambikkulam. Paari or Paali is a great compassionate king who gave wealth to the needy and encouraged all scholars,bards and poets. Kapila (Paaranar) sings the sad story of how Paari was killed and how his daughters were left without protection.

2. ( ) Veliyan Vel Aavi Komaan is the Velluvanaat Valluvakkonaathiri, the emperor of Valluvanad.

3. () . Kaari of Kuthiramala is called Kaariswaroopam .Kuthiramala is at present called Kuthiraan. Kaari was the Vaal nambi and brother in law of Chera dynasty.

4. . . . Nanda was the son of Ramaghata Mooshaka, first king of Kerala during Parasurama times. He is a Kaadava king (Forest king) or Girivarga king and is a Kaantharava (Gandharva kula) lineage and protects the upper boundaries of kerala. The present Palghat Kollangot and Mysore kings and Thalappalli kings have the names Kantha,Kantharava etc and for bringing somalatha, a forest good, for Yajna even now Kollanghot Raja is sought after.

5. . () . .( , ,.) , , , . . . (13 ) . . . . 108 . , . .

Mullurmala Ori of Sangham period belongs to Mullai thinai and is equated with Vishnu/Mayon/Azhvaar. Mullurmala is now called Mullrkkara and Ori is now Oli or Olappamanna . The lineage of Vaighanasa vedic Rishis and the Naiyayikas belonged to this. Azhvancheri Thambrakkal belong to Vaishnava,Nithyavichareswara,Nethranarayana

45

and had his first seat at Mullasseri Parambu Thali, which shifted to Tharur,Marancheri and finally to Athavanad. (Depending upon change in capital of emperor).Since Perumpadapu Vanneri Emperors ( of Valluvanad) were consecrated by Azhvancheri Thambrakkal , and when Vannery Bhoopan (Kochi) left Perumpadapp, Azhvanchery

also had to shift to Athavanad , with Zamorins rule. Nethranarayana Nithyavichareswara Azhvaar represent Mullaithinai and its protector ,Vishnu. In history of Mooshakavansa ,Perumpadappu swaroopa had right to conduct Mamanka at Vaakayur Perumthurai (Thirunaavaa) and to be seated in Nilapad Thara. The first Adiperuvanam Pooram , related to this event originated in Kadavalloor Rama temple. There also Vannery Perumpadapp used to conduct festival and rule Nilapad Thara.

.

1345610 27 3684 . 580 . ( 3684- 3104). 4183 1775 . ,

4183 1775 2308 . 580 . 13 . 1790- 1805 , . . .

The timespan is calculated according to a sloka . Aayaathu sivalokam gives Kali days. 1345610 month of Meenam 27. This is BC 580.This pooram festival is said to have existed for 4183 years and that without any obstruction Vannery Perumpadapp Kochin king was conducting it all these years. That means the beginning of Adiperuvanam Pooram of Kadavalloor started in BC 2308. The present Peruvanam Pooram started in BC 580. In 13th century Perumpadapp lost rights to conduct mamankam at Thirunava and also to conduct Kaadavalloor Pooram and Vedic Anyonyam. Later on , from 1790-1805 , during Sakthan Thamburan time, the second Peruvanam pooram festival lost its prominence and Thrissur pooram became more famous. With this in mind, we can also see the change in position of Azhvanchery Thambrakkal.

1. , , , , 2308 580 . 2 . () , () . 580 , .. . Mooshakavansa branch rules Thirunava,Vakayur Perumthurai,Kadavalloor Srirama temple and also

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Parambuthali ,Thriprayar from Ponnani river to Periyar river ( from BC 2308-BC 580). In Thalappalli Melvattam and Keezhvattam king and Azhvanchery Thambrakkal have 2 capitals each. Eramangalam thali and Maaranchery at Thalappalli Melvattam, and Parambu Thali at Keezhvattam. When in BC 580, the branch at Makkoathapuram (Kodungalloor) Thamburan got a Mooppusthanam as King, Parambuthali became the first capital and Marancheri and Eramangalam thali the second (but original ) places of King and Thambrakkal. In continuation with this the branch at Kodungalloor become prominent leading to mahodayapuram formation .This becomes the trade and commerce center and the original seat , the cultural center.

2 , . 780- 780. 2

. When Pallavas rule, Palghat Tharur branch becoming the eldest members seat the 3rd capital of Azhvancheri becomes prominent there.This happened between BC 780-AD 780.Even at this time, the other 2 seats of Azhvanchery are strong.

3 . In 8th century ,2nd Kulasekhara period,Perumpadapp Mooppil sthanam comes back to VanneryChera branch and Maranchery become strong again as seat of Azhvanchery.

4 . . . . Finaly when Kochin Perumpadapp shift place from Perumpadapp due to interference from Zamorin and his foreign forces, Azhvanchery had to shift place from Maranchery to Athavanad .Both Kalppakanchery and Athavanad are in Thirur . , . ? ( ) . . , . , . () . Azhvar means Vaishnava.Cheri means followers. Mooshaka Yadava ,Somavansins being Azhvars, or Vaishnavites , this name is most suited for their spirituall preceptor and eldest brother. From Bharathappuzha to Periyar he was the spiritual head (Thalappalli means the head part) and he has no other job other than meditating (Nityavichareswar).Though there is administrative change in kings, the role of spiritual preceptor is not lost. Koviladhikari is a spiritual head of entire Nation. Athreyas were Gurus of Mooshaka vansa. Among them the Yadus had Dathathreya as Guru and Thurvasu had Durvasa as Guru. Thrimurthy form of Dathathreya and temples belonging to these chandravansi preceptor are seen in plenty in Kerala. Datha is a name for Vaisya in North India .But in South India this name is seen very commonly among Brahmins (Brahmadatha,Agnidatha,etc)

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Boundaries:-

. 1792 . 1946 9.,,,,,,.,. 1956-57 . .

,,,, , ,,,, 5 . . 1969 () . , . ( ) The boundaries of kerala

was not the same as we see now. Until the Malabar division on 1792 ( following Tipus invasion) North and South Malabar was unified. In 1946 Madras Presidency had 9 Taluks in Malabar District .Chirakkal,Kottayam,Wynad,Kurumbranad,Kozhikod,Eranad,Valluvanad ,Ponnani and Palakkad.In 1956-57 Valluvanad was divided. The division of Ponnani Taluk was as follows:Thanur,Thirur,Kuttippuram,Nattika,Chowghat Firkkas,Pookkod,Perakam,Iringapuram,Kadapuram,Manathala ( 5 villages) were separated from Palakkad District (The rest remaining in Palakkad District) .In 1969 when Malappuram was formed ,Thrithala Firkka of Ponnani went to Ottappalam Taluk , and Andathode Firkka to Chowghat (Thrissur)Taluk and remaining parts of Ponnani Taluk joined Malappuram. When we learn history of very ancient and ancient temples , this early history has to be born in mind. The division of Thalappalli melvattam and Keezhvattam is shown in picture below.

. ., . . , . , , 120 , 500 , , ., .(). . ( , ) Thrissur is considered as the cultural capital of Kerala. It is also the middle (Omphalos/Nabhi) of Kerala. Old Sanskrit names call it Rishabhachalam,Rishabhadripuram.Nandi or Rishabha was the vehicle of Shiva and sign of agriculture and it is the old name attributed to scholars belonging to the Mooshakavansa . Thrissur had two scholars of Mooshakavansa Bhavanandi and Sivanandi who started a branch for Valabhi University in the Eastern part of India nad named it Naalanda. Before Kulasekharapuram, Thrikkanamathilakam, Thiruvanchikkulama nd

48

Mahodayapuram were built (before BC 120) and before Peruvana pooram started in BC 500 , the Adiperuvanam Kaadavalloor of Vannery perumpadapp had a vedic examination center and a pooram festival.We are travelling to this place first in this sojourn. Since it was the temple of Paaramana Panniyur , it is as old as Varahakalpa (Maithravaruni period of Veda).From that early period Perumpadapp was under Kaadava king Perumpadapp. Old Thrikkanaamukk,Old Thiruvanchaikkalam are still located (placenames) in Vannery.

Temples of Thalappalli Taluk (Very ancient and ancient only)

. . . . ( 8000-9000 ). , , . , . . ( 3000 ). , () . . , . . . () ,. . ( ) . . . . , (. ). Kadavalloor Srirama temple is famous all over Kerala from ancient times. The idol consecrated here is the Mahavishnu idol worshipped by Dasaratha,father of Sri Rama at Ayodhya. When Vibheeshana

was returning from Ayodhya , after Sriramas coronation, Rama presented it to him. He brought it to Lanka and worshipped there as Sankalpa of Sri Rama. (Threthayuga BC 8000-9000 Mehrgarh period )In dwaparayuga , during Rajasooya of Yudhishtira, Ghatothkacha, son of Bhima and Hidimbhi , a Rakshasa Kaadava princess went to Lanka and collected revenues. At that time Vibheeshana , the eternal presented the idol to him. Srikrishna advised him to consecrate it at Kadavalloor. (this is about BC 3500-3400 Harappan Sindhu period). In this place several great

49

sages including Agasthya had done meditation and vedic discussions. With blessings of all of them Ghatothkacha did consecration. Kaadavalloor is the country of Kaada (forest tribe)Ghatothkacha .For the sake of Sandhyavandana ,Subrahmanya himself had made a tank .Ghata means a pot. (Kudam) . Agasthya,Vasishta (Maithravarunis) and Ghatothkacha have names meaning people who were born in a pot, or a ghatam/kudam.So is the name of the first Mooshaka king Ramar kuda mooshaka. Krishna showed this place, because the idol was given originally to Dasaratha , by Vasishta, one of the Maithravrunis , from this place. TThus the idol returned to original place after travelling to North India (Ayodhya) and Lanka. The first Veda school of Maithravruni was located here. Even now the examination of proficiency in Veda is being held here. In vedic hymns we will find the name of a Rishi as Irimbidi. This is none other than the Brahmin tribe belonging to Pulasthya gothra and their successors were Hidimbi and Ghatothkacha. The birthplace of Rishi Irimbidi and of Hidimbi and Ghatothkacha is nearby Kaadavalloor and is named Irimbiliyam at present.(Malappuram District)

3 . , , , (). . 10472 . ,,,,,, . , , . . 16 (, ) . 4 . 64 . 8 . . , 28 . , ( ) . 29 () . , . , . 15 .12 . 29 . , .30 . . , . 200-300 . . Rama of Kadavalloor has 3 sankalpa.In morning he is a sage in the forest , a yogin. At noon he is fierce and is sending Agneyasthra to Varuna who refused to allow Ramasethu to be built. In the evening he is Pattabhisheka Rama , about to be crowned. Kadavlloor is a vedic school of highest grade. The 10472 suktha of Rgveda used to be tested among candidates in olden days. There are different stages I nthis test.

1 Palaka kittal (getting a seat).2. Vaaram irikkal .3. Jada,4 Ratha. 5.Mumpirikkal 6.Kadannirikkal 7 valiya kadannirikkal are the stages. Whichever portion is given for test has to be recited without any faults in correct pronounciation,intonation and correct Mudra .Previously in month of Vrischika 16 days excluding Ekadasi and

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Amavasi were test days. In one day 4 people are tested. That means in an year only 64 people are tested. Ifthere are more candidates ,an extension of 8 days more was permissible.Nowadays Thrissur Brahmaswam Madam and Thirunava Brahaswam madam participate in this. The course of travel for Thrissur madam is , start on Thulam 28 after worshipping Vatakkunnathan, and take lunch at Mundoor temple, and reach Brahmanthitta (Now called Chemmanthitta) Siva temple and stay there. On 29th reach Bhattimuri Thekkedath Illamtemple and take prasadam at noon there. Go to Alanghot Athera temple, Sukapuram temple and return to Alanghat Athera and from there to Kadavalloor and stay there at night. Thirunava madam should reach chamravattam temple on Thulam 15th. 12 days stay there with vratha. On 29th reach illam of Polppaakkara and take lunch. Go to Uthiyannoor mana and stay for the night there. On 30th reach Sukapuram temple , take prasadam and go to Kadavalloor. Thrissur team stay at home of Achuthath Moothath on the North of Kadavalloor temple. Thirunavaya stay at south in house of Pakshiyam Mooss. From each side 200-300 people will be there. One day is specially devoted for honouring those who had won in previous tests.

. 2 ( ) . . . . , . 1949 ( ) . 1989 .( 20 , ,2013 ). . . On the stage of the north Valiyambalam the test is arranged. At a time 2 people can sit on stage. The person from Thirunava has to face North and Thrissur face west. For bathing Thrissur is given western ghat and Thirunava is given Eastern ghat. Until 1949 the Vedic test continued without any break.In 1949 when Cochin Devaswam Board took over from the Madams the test stopped. From 1989 the test started again , though at a smaller scale with not much regulations. It is interesting to note that

from Vedic Mithravaruni times upto 1949 there had been no break in this Vedic schools test process and for 20 years there had been a break and after that it again restarted. Only a few selected hymns are tested at present, since scholarship is Vedic knowledge has been at an ebb with this 20 years of break in the system

,,,, . 2 , , . ( ) . . . . .2 . . .169

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... , ( ), . . , . . . 2308 1778 1949 ( . ) . The structure of the temple is dwithala,saandhaara,facing west Panchapraara. Two doors for chuttambalam, one to west and one to east. The small Koothambalam with stage and a dressing room provides space for Anyonyam(vedic test). Siva and Ganapathi

are Upadevas. Valiya balikkal is in Nadappanthal. Maryada has shape of elephants belly. Of the 2 gopura, the west

one is dwithala. Ayyappa as Upadeva is outside the Maryada.During Tipus invasion idol was damaged.But did not get destroyed. Height is 169 cms. Akathiyur ,the Samadhi of Agasthya called Kalasamala at Parembadam (temple belonging to Paramana in ancient times ),and Vedaranyam where Vedavathy meditated on Narayana and where Ravana was cursed by her are very near to Kadavalloor. The myths of local people, of Ithihasas and names of villages are complementary and so are the numerous stone age remnants in the place. From BC 2308 to AD 1778 Vannery Perumpadapp and Cochin kings continued the vedic school at Kadavalloor and after that till AD 1949 it continued with help of local kings and people .This has to be considered a cultural continuity cherished by a people .

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1. ()-

-

-

(. (,, ) 8, (32 4 ) 3 (24) ()()() (). () , () . Om.This is the country in the direction of the heart of Amba (Ambodhi is ocean).The country in the direction of the

53

heart of ocean (western ocean).Belonging to Kazhapallava (Kaadapallava) king , the treasury of the Iswara containing different Uruppadi (objects and wealth) and this has to be utilized for the following purposes in the following ratios. This is the order of Vallabha Raayaru. The entire wealth is divided into 32 parts and that is made into 4 ( 8 X 4) .Of this 3 parts (24) is for the administration and development of Keralaalayam (Temple of Kerala)

which is the jurisdiction of Vallabha Raya .The rest (8 divisions) is for local administration for the Grama. That means major share was for the entire Kerala , and a minor share for the local Grama expenses. This must have been the oldest arrangement followed by ancient Emperors of India for smooth administration of entire country.

2. (. )

()

()

()

( . . .)

This appears to be a piece of song because of the rhyming, aalaapana (Haa haa) and the word Rgveda, and swara Sa,ri,ga,ma,pa,dha .The language is Prakritha and meaning is not very clear.But the recognizable words (Veda,swara etc) show that this must have been a sloka or a hymn for worship of Vishnu,Nadabrahman with hymns in Geetha/musical format.

3 ( 9 )

-

-

()

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( (). () ,(), , , (7 ) . . . . , .

The 9 line short inscription seems to be associated with the local myth of the place. The story is that the very ancient Palakkal Kaav Bhadrakaali is related to Kadavalloor Rama temple and to Kaatakaampaal Siva/Devi temple.The Devi, after killing 21 Daarikaas is said to have jumped into the well in Kaatakaampaal temple. Therefore the word Kaalinaar Koopa is related to that aithihya (myth). Chey is child /and Jaya(jayantha/chenna). The first sentence say , Hail to the way of Kaalinaar koopa , the child Chennan (Beautiful Vishnu). Hail to Durga, the mother of world. Keeping the cows,great bard/poet/sages,and the Bow, I speak this Truth. Everything in the Sapthasailam (Ezhumalai) belongs to Kedaara Raama. A sign is seen between the words Ezhu and Durgam. (see below).This seems to be a oath taken by warriors and other loyal people , touching a bow,book,cow,Yogadand etc ( as the case may be) pledging their loyalty for life to the Emperor and the Nation belonging to KedaraRaama , of Ezhumalai (Sapthakulaachala).The sign is a Saindhava /Saraswatha symbol showing the antiquity of the custom and the oath and signs .If we read it combining each part , in Brahmi script, the sign can be read as Death ( The oath is until death/lifetime ).

() .. ( , , , ,, ) , , . 7 .( ). . ,,,

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. . .

-() ( . . . ( ) (), (. , )) ( , ) () ( ) () , ( ) ( ), ( ) ().

- , , () .

We can read this in the opposite direction too. Then the meaning is, this is the Naazhika(Muhurtham) when Chennaphakkoor (Chennamangalam), the scholar of Rgveda and devotee of Rama, belonging to Kaapeyagothra, and son of Kandan Ko(tha), the greatest among the people of Saaketha ,ended the samsara of this earth ( which is equal to death) and attained Moksha .Eem Dhara ( Eem is the Beejamanthra of Devi and Dhara is Bhoodevi,consort of Vishnu) . This is eulogizing a great scholar , a Rgveda expert, who sacrificed his earthly duties and accepted the position of Nithyavichareswaram ( Athmasamarpana as Daasa of God) and this person is a Chenna(Jayantha.Belong to royal family.Son of Indra, who performed 100 yajna) or a Chennamangalam, and his

fathers name is given as Kandan Kotha, a name taken up by Thalappalli royal lineage and Mooshakavansa when they assume positions.Thus, the inscription also gives a clue to the antiquity of Rgvedic tradition of temple, its

56

connection with Thalappilli and Paaliyam , and to Chennas (Thanthri family) who have history intricately connected to Vannery and Thalappalli Melvattam.

4. () . (,) . , . An incomplete inscription .Om Swasthisri, Om,Sidham to Lava ( or Lapaaleeswara) .Lava can be son of Rama.Or Lapaaleeswara can be some name related to Paaleeyam. Lavuleeswara /lagadha is Lord Siva according to mythology , which I had described in Pookkattiyur inscriptions in detail).

57

58

(.) Chemmanthatta/Brahmanthatta . -- 13 .108 . ,, 8 . . . , . . 13 . 9 . (), ,, , ,,,,. . 1905 . Old name is Brahmanthatta. In Pannithadam,Aiyyaal ,Thrissur Road

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,13 kms southeast of Kunnamkulam , in the midst of green fields , this temple is seen. It is one of the 108 Sivalayas of Parasurama. Until 8th century, this was administered by a branch of Mooshaka/Yaadava/Somavansi/Thalappalli branch (Chiralayam alias Cheraalayam) and was a school of Vedic knowledge. When Panniyur and Sukapura quarreled for vedic supremacy and foreign Brahmins reached Panniyur and started their ways of worship there, many Brahmins from Panniyur left their village and came to Brahmanthitta. Of them 13 were prominent. At present only nine names of them are known. 1. Chennaas (Jayanthamangalam), Mattathil,Nenmanathoor,Kandanchaatha,Okki,Akazhi,Kalloor,Nedumbazhi, and Kuriyedath. Chemmanthatta was attacked and damaged by Tipu Sultan, because of its prosperity. In 1905 the temple was again destroyed by fire and Sreekovil had to be renovated.

. . 37 .. . ( ) . 111 . (). . . .. . 16 . 4 . 2 . , , , . ,,, , . . 15 . . . . , . ,, ,, , , . . The sreekovil is circular,ekathala. Faces East. Sivalinga is Rudrakshasila, and has 37 cm height.Peetha also has same height.Including Brahmachathura ,total height is 111 cms. As in Thrissileri, the sankalpa is that of Siva, angered by the news of demise of Sathi at Dakshayaga. The temple is very ancient and the first Thanthri is obscure. At present it is for Elavally Puliyannoor Mana of Chaowghat Taluk . There are beautiful mural paintings on the wall. Namaskaramandapa has 16 pillars .Chuttambalam has 4 doors from 4 sides. And in addition , 2 more entrances for Valiyambalam (total 6 doors). The lifestyle of ordinary people of the village, their dress etc are depicted in the Murals , which is an original idea shown by the artist and this is historical. The presence of a black woman teaching a white man, and dress of Muslim women as Devadasis deserve special mention and the concept of real secularism of our ancestors.

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.( ) 108 . . . 8 , 12 8 , , ,

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. . . . . , . . . Harikanyakayur is one among the 108 Durga temples of Parasurama. In the sanctum sanctorum Harikanyaka (Mohini) and her son Saastha are present , which is a special feature. In Keralasahityacharithra of Ulloor this temple is mentioned. And Chandrolsavam Kavyam describes it. Chandrolsavam was conducted with pomp and splendor here, and panels of chandrolsavam are seen on Valiya Balikkal. In Srimad Bhagavathapuranam Skandam 8 and 12 describes Avathar of Vishnu as Mohini, and how she took away the pot of nectar from Asuras,a nd how Siva desired to see that form of Vishnu and how he lost control and in Kambaramayana describes how Siva produced a son-Sastha-in her. This mother/father (Vishnu) and son are together installed in Garbhagriha. Harikanyaka is the virgin form Vishnu took as Mohini, eulogized in the Brahmani songs of ancient Kerala. Whenever the Ulsava idol of Mohini is taken out, it is mandatory that Sastha idol also accompanies her. Since Rajarajeswara Siva became desirous of her and lost control, in this Devi temple Kings and Tuskers have no entry. (like women in Sabarimala and Rajarajeswara Thalipparamb has some restrictions to women.).Thidamb of Devi is carried by a female elephant. Virgins worship Devi for Mangalya and for puthrabhagya.

Inside the Naalambalam, on Northwest corner a stone idol is present.It is reported to be growing slowly.

The last renovation happened during Perumthachans time and his instruments (Uli and Muzhakkol) are seen in the temple just as we see them at Panniyur and Thirunaavaa. When we walk in the northern part

of inner pradakshinavazhi, though the path is strewn with stones, we can hear a sound akin to the Devis chilamb when she dances. Perumthachan had done this using special stones with sounds and using acoustic principles . This I had reported earlier.

. 72 72 . . . , 2 . 1945 2.15 . . ,,, ( ) 3 , . , . 23 . . () . . , 1935 . 1949 .15 . . 8 . , . .( ) 5

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. . . . . . . . 5 . It was a Mahakshethra .There were 72 families like 72 Melakarthaa Raaga administering the temple affairs and later on this became 7 families like sapthaswaras. When they had difference of opinion, Thrissur Thekke Madam swamiyar took over. Later on , given to two traditional old families Vatakkumpaat and Othaloor. Krishnasila idol of Devi is 2.15 Meter height and in 1945 this was covered with a Panchaloha Golaka. Idol has chathurbhuja form. Sankha,Chakra, Abhayamudra and a Ball (instead of Butter for Balakrishna) the Devi is Vishnumohini/Harikanyaka. (Vishnumaayaamohini).The temple belongs to Thalappilli royal family. Therefore in 1935 Kochin Royal family took over . In 1949 Kochin Devaswam Board took the administration. In Meenam 15 day festival is observed.Festival starts with Ganapathi worship.Kodiyettam is on 8th day (flag raising).That day , during daytime, in the Mandapa, Brahmanippaatt is a speciality.After Kodiyettam for 5 days there is no Ulsavabali. 6th day Ulsava Naavvor paat is the right of Mannaan community. 7th day Naavorpaatt is right of Paana community.These shows the antiquity of the temple and its Adivasi origins. Last day is Aaraatt. This is a very ancient temple and who was the first Thanthri to consecrate is unknown. The moolasthana is a Naaga forest , east of the Katchery and Vishnu temple in East Nada and the beautiful old tank associated with it.It is called the temple of Kaaadaa ( the ancient lineage Kaadava of Thalappalli Rajavansa) .At present Thanthri is Puliyannoor. 5 poojas daily is the rule

4 . (20 ).. . . 10 .6 ,16 ,, , , , 2, , - ., ,,,, ,,, 2 - . In ancient times the temple complex had landed properties extending upto Guruvayur (4 miles west of this temple) and 20 square Kilometers was its jurisdiction (While Thalipparamb Rajarajeswara had 16 square KMs ,less than that of Harikanyaka).Panchaprakara style eastfacing Dwithala Srikovil,Pranala in single stone,10 elephants carved on greeva and wall, Vyali on sopana and 16 pillared namaskaramandapa ,mukhamandapa,growing Vanabhadrakaali sila ,well on northeast ,special custom of giving Nithyabali within this well, 2 Nadappanthal in akathe balivattam, instruments of Perumthachan on southern granite pillar,beautiful carvings and faded but excellent murals ,stone dwarapalikas in dhyanaleena pause,ashtadikpaala in namaskaramandapa,dasavathara, krishnaleela,devasuragana, bhoothagana, yaksheeyaksh figurines, , Bhoothagana with lamps on back wall, .. And a very ancient stone near the Valiya balikkal which shows a

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prehistoric rock art of Sastha on tiger . Once we visit this temple , we will never forget the effect it gives on our aesthetic sense and rasanubhava.

, 2 () . . . . . . , () . There are 2 places called Moozhikkalam and Paayammal nearby this temple. Moozhikkalam is a Vishnu temple.It is possible that the present Moozhikkalam (of nalambalam fame) was a later addition or construction of this Moozhikkalam,judging from the antiquity of the temple complex extending over 20 sq kms (upto Guruvayur temple) at its western boundary. Stones with IVC/Harappan scripts are also seen at Harikanyayur and nearby we have numerous megalithic remnants all around Kandanasseri Panchayath.

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Kaattakampaal Siva temple , . . .108 . . . . . . . . .

. a Km northwest of Kunnamkulam ,via Parembatam junction,and Chirakkal junction,one can reach Kaattakampaal .Main idol is Siva but Devi is more famous. Siva is one of the 108 Sivalaya of Parasurama. Siva gave darsan to Parasurama here during meditation. The idol was forgotten

for several millennia and once a Veda (Hunter) saw that his cow doesnt have milk after going inside a jungle.He followed the cow and found that the cow is doing Milk abhisheka on a stone sivalinga. That is how the king came to know of it and the temple was built around it.

, , . , . . ,, . . .( ) . , . 1001 . . . . . . ( 8 ) (). , , , ,, . 1955 . ( ) 21 . , .

. .In 8th century , a chieftan had several difficult situations and he didnt have progeny to continuw the royal duties. To this devoted Bhaktha Siva came in dream and told to meditate on Balambika of Kanyakumari .He did Mandalabhajana at Kanyakumari, and did avahan of devi within a

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brass vessel and consecrated her in southern valiyambalam ,facing west.A daru idol (wood) was built and a stone idol for daily pooja was also consecrated in front of it. (The brass kalasa is still in the temple and on Ulsava days it is taken out ).The version that during Prathishta time instead of Balambika,Bhadrakali sankalpa was done exists. But another version is that , Balambika was the first Prathishta,a nd later on Bhadrakali from Palakkal kaav came running , after killing Darikas and jumped int o the well and Balambika being very soumya advised Bhadrakali to come and sit near her with her in the Srikovil and to be quiet.Later on when Bhadrakali became more powerful the temple authorities removed chaithanya of Balambika into another place in the Nalambalam itself. Bhadrakaali prathishta was done in 8th century only by Achuthat Moossad, kazhakam of Kadavalloor Ramaswami temple.Till then Balambika was the idol. (Refer the inscription at Kadavalloor and the Achuthat Moossad as one of the kazhakams who lodge the Rgveda scholars to be tested).

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Kakkaat Mahaganapathi . From Kunnamkulam Busstand 750 meter north .Thiruvalayanoor Bhattathiri of Vadakkekkad ,Punnayurkulam , sacrificed all his properties to Oorakath Amma Thiruvadi and walked towards Northern direction taking only a Ganapathi idol to which he did Pooja every day. He presented the idol to the then Kakkaat Kaaranavappaad (eldest member of Thalappilli kovilakam). Old branches of Thalappalli are Aanaaykkal, Chittanjoor,Cheralayam alias Cheraalayam, KKumarapuram and Manakkulam .Aanayikkal, Eliyanghat (Mooshakavansa) and its Punnathalappathi (Punnathoor ) belong to the same family . At present , punnathoor and Eliyanghat are in the Thalappalli royal family but the name Aaanaaykkal is not used. This name is pronounced as Aynikkoottil Nambidi and at present only Cheraalaya (Chiralaya) takes this oldest branch name and write the initials as C.A (Cheralayam Aynikkoottil alias Aanaayikkal).This term has its origin in Aan (Vishnu) Avinisseri and Aaankkal (where Parouli Vishnu temple of pandavas is situated) and denotes the antiquity of this branch name which is dropped by others,retained by Cheralayam. Karanavar installed Ganapathi near Paradevatha ,Vettekkaran Sivan .The first Thanthri is not known.At present thanthram is Porkkalam Thekkedath Mana. Previously ,Thalappalli kakkaat karanavar had his Crowning ceremony in Akathiyur Kalasamala , purified by the

Agashtyatheertham from Agasthyas kalasa. In sangham literature there is a story of Paari being killed by kaari which is sung by Kapilar (Paaranar) , the Guru of Paari. After this incident , there

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never had been crowning of Kakkat karanavar at Kalasmala. The observatory and yajnasala were forgotten for millennia .Even now , it is not a protected site. Why did Thiruvalayanoor Bhattathiri denounce his properties ? Why did the idol he gave became the center for

Ariyittuvazhcha of kakkat karanavar after that ? What is its relation to paris assassination and

story of Irukkuvel refusing Paris daughters as his brides ? Is Thiruvalayanad Bhattathiri the same as Kapilar (Paaranar) of sangham age, who also is said to have denounced everything and moved to North in sangham literature ? These are the questions I found very interesting .

Vedakkaad Porkkalam

3 , 1 , . . . . , . . . , . . . . , . 3 kms north of Kunnamkulam, 1 km west of Parempadam,on Pazhanji road in Porkkalam Parasurama meditated and did Thapas and this place was known as Vedaranyam from ancient times.This was the place where Vedavathi meditated to marry Sri Narayana , and Ravana tried to molust her, and she did Athmahuthi in her homakunda cursing him to die , if h